Effects of Lemon Extract Powder and Vinegar Powder on the Quality Properties of Naturally Cured Sausages with White Kimchi Powder

This study investigated the effects of lemon extract powder and vinegar powder on the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of pork sausages naturally cured using white kimchi powder during storage for 30 days. Six batches were included: control (0.01% sodium nitrite and 0.05% sodium ascorbate); treatment 1 (0.3% white kimchi powder and 0.5% lemon extract powder); treatment 2 (0.3% white kimchi powder and 1.0% lemon extract powder); treatment 3 (0.3% white kimchi powder and 0.5% vinegar powder); treatment 4 (0.3% white kimchi powder and 1.0% vinegar powder); and treatment 5 (0.3% white kimchi powder, 0.5% lemon extract powder, and 0.5% vinegar powder). Treatment 2 had significantly lower pH values and higher cooking loss than the other batches (p<0.05). Treatments 1, 2, and 5 had similar (p>0.05) CIE a* as the control, while treatments 3 and 4 showed significantly lower values (p<0.05). The residual nitrite content in naturally cured products was lower than the control (p<0.05), while treatments 1 and 2 showed significantly higher nitrosyl hemochrome content and curing efficiency (p<0.05). TBARS values were similar for all treatments and the control (p>0.05). Treatments 1 and 2 showed significantly reduced aerobic plate counts (APC; p<0.05) than the control and other treatments. However, across all batches, TBARS values and APC significantly increased during storage (p<0.05). Our results suggest that lemon extract powder, rather than vinegar powder, may offer a promising alternative for supplementing the functions of nitrite in naturally cured sausages.